Broad beans

[nick nack]

I am sure I read on here recently that you have to remove the tips off broad beans. When is this done and how much of the top do you remove?

Thanks

NN

[rustylady]

The main reason you remove the tips from broad beans is to stop blackfly colonising the plants. They love the tender tips and once they get there they will take over the whole plant.

[nick the grief]

Top half inch or so.

If you sow in the autumn they are not suposed to be so much of a trouble as the stems are too hard for the little gits to get their noses in

[nick nack]

Thanks for the advice everybody, much appreciated.

NN

[Two_Sheds]

PS you can eat the tops, lightly steamed. You may or may not wish to wipe off the blackfly first (extra protein)

[nick nack]

Thanks Two Sheds, I'll tell she who must be obeyed that the black bits are pepper, then duck if she finds out.

NN

[Wendy]

i think i may have a black fly problem but the tops of my beans are flowers - do you think i should still nip the tops off??